Face Off

So, does she manage to fit in time to write for her ex-publication?

No, not that often. quot;The Times of India does not pay well enough,quot; she says. Not even it8217;s own ex-editors and money is obviously the issue with Ms Patil.And how much of an issue are women8217;s right to this firebrand editor of Femina?

Well, she does love talking about them but on the doing front she is not very active. She claims that she never set-out to be a protector of women8217;s rights. quot;I am not an extremist, I just believe in justice,quot; she says.

Is she a feminist?

Nooooooo. She does not burn bras and she does wear make-up. In fact, she looks nothing like a women8217;s rights activist. Like all good married women she wears bangles on her right wrist and a mangalsutra and a bindi. Not quite the picture of a fire-breathing feminist.

Does that means that she is vain about her appearance?

She has no problems admitting that she cares about the way she looks. quot;I am very conscious of my appearance.quot; And when she was young she took even greater care of her looks. quot;Every bird likes to preen.quot;

And she8217;s full of surprises. While Vimla fights for the rights of women, her personal life is a picture of wedded bliss.

She has been married well over 30 years. And is proud of it. So much so that she wants to start workshops on how to have a successful marriage!

Is there anything she is not good at?

A few years ago, a magazine did accuse her of being a bad mother-in law. It said that this so-called doyen of women8217;s rights ill-treated her bahu rani. Harsh allegations! What did she do about it?

According to her, nothing. In fact, the topic makes her very emotional. quot;They never spoke to me or my family and it was the word of an anonymous informer.quot; She believes it was a case of someone being spiteful.

But why would anyone take the trouble to be so malicious if there isn8217;t a hint of truth in the matter?

quot;When they see something nice, people like to spoil it,quot; she says. Then Vimla is lucky to have a near-perfect life.

So she8217;s super-wife, super-mom, super-grandmom and a writer. So where does food come into the picture?

She is involved in the opening of a new restaurant in Worli 8212; Viva Paschim. No, it is not a mix of Mexican and Indian food as the name may sound. There is nothing international about it, it will serve the various cuisine of Western India.

Where does she get the energy to do all these things?

quot;Being tired is a luxury,quot; she says. The secret behind Vimla8217;s energy is that she never allows herself to feel tired. And that8217;s how this woman has her hand in so many pots.

What is this busy woman most likely to say?

quot;I wish people would do their own thing and leave others alone.quot;

And least likely to say?

quot;Go to hell.quot;